Issue 19: September 2002

UN University has presented its final report to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) being held in Johannesburg August 26-September 4. Entitled Making Integrated Solutions Work for Sustainable Development, it is the fifth UNU contribution to the WSSD process.

"The Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development has the potential to serve as a turning point in the way that the international community pursues the goal of sustainable human development," UNU Rector Hans van Ginkel writes in his introduction. 

"The obvious decline in the condition of the natural environment combined with extreme poverty still prevailing in many parts of the world and access to clean drinking water, basic health services or education still illusory for many, have generated a worldwide appreciation of the urgency with which we prepare for the WSSD. 

"This reality points to the core consideration that the goals of sustainable development must be more effectively mainstreamed within the broader global political agenda. This is why the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development is so crucial. 

Hans van Ginkel

"The Johannesburg Summit MUST signal a new, global level, appreciation of the need to approach sustainable development in a more comprehensive, strategic and integrated manner. Attention must also be directed at both human and environmental resources. Our work, which we proudly present here, tries to contribute to these common goals."

The first section of the report is devoted to an examination of the close relationship between poverty and environmental degradation and names poverty eradication as the first step toward sustainable development. The report also discusses the relationship between poverty and other issues such as conflict, gender inequality, access to clean water and urbanisation.

The report also examines issues related to the protection and management of the natural resource base necessary for economic and social development and makes recommendations about combating  desertification, preserving biodiversity and the environmental integrity of mountains, forests and oceans and coastal communities and their ecosystems are found within  this section.

Other issues covered include:

• Sustainability in production, consumption and trade. 
• The relationship between water and health.
• Implementing sustainable development through more funding, environmentally–friendly technologies, a commitment to higher education and innovations at the community level.
• Increasing the effectiveness of organisations charged with environmental protection and promoting sustainable development.

More WSSD coverage:

Initiative on science for sustainability unveiled

UNU announces new initiatives on Inter-linkages, mountains

Slow progress on sustainable development linked to disagreement over approach

Comment: Strengthened international organisations required for World Summit success

Download the report - PDF 690 KB
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